Saturday, March 25, 2017

Barbara J. Raheb, Pennyweight Press, Miniature Books

Some of the first miniatures I ever bought were books by Barbara Raheb.
They were made long before we had computers and printers. How they exactly they
were made isn't something I can tell you about. Perhaps you know and will tell
me more about that. I do remember someone telling me once they were typeset. I
can't fathom it.

At the time I started collecting I had very little fun money so these were
big purchases for me. The unabridged Romeo and Juliet was the first book I
bought and EB Browning was the second. I was fascinated by the beautiful
printing and covers she created. I have never opened Romeo and Juliet. Once they have been opened, they
never close tightly again.

I knew Barbara had started losing her eye sight due to macular degeneration in 2002. I
spoke to her a coupLe years before that on the phone. Someone recently told me
we lost her. However, I cannot find anything about that on the internet. Please
let me know if you have any information.

Her books are now selling for fantastic sums. I would still love to have a
few more. I regret not getting all the Jane Austen books and so many others!

The good news is... You can still buy them used either on Ebay or here... Have a look at the prices they are asking for them now. PHEW!

20 comments:

Our conversation here the other day was just how much the use of computers have changed our lives......I never made the connection with miniatures, but I don't know why I didn't...??? Yes, how did they make those books so small 'back in the day'? They look wonderful......I would adore to explore your miniature collection, I bet you have items packed away you have forgotten about. X

I am wondering how much 3-D printers will change miniatures in the years to come. I hate to think about it really. I wonder if artisans aren't starting to get a bit concerned.

If something in my collection isn't being displayed, it is in see through flip-top, 6 in a line plastic (snap shut) boxes that are in a sort of book cover that has properly shaped sleeves for them to slide into. It is hard to explain (a picture would do it). Once I opened in that book I can see everything I have. Though the charm is pretty much lost in there. haha

Thank you Linda. I don't know about foresight.;-) I just bought what I loved, always. There are so many different styles of collecting. craftsmanship was always what appealed to me. I guess that was why I didn't have much. haha

I'd never heard of Barbara before and another reason why I love your blog. It contains a wealth of knowledge about artisans I would never see otherwise. It's mind boggling how fine these books are given how they were made. Thanks for sharing :0)

Hi Catherine! Those books look amazing! It is hard to imagine them being typeset with such small type... It would be fascinating to know what was used to produce them! I would imagine you could get photographic reductions... (how they used to do layouts)with everything set up as for real printing... a complicated process! And you are right, those covers are beautiful with the gold stamping. I would not have been able to resist opening it.....!!!! :)

I really should do more research about how those books were made. I am very interested in the entire process. I have asked in the IGMA Forum for more information about Barbara. I am hoping to hear something.At the time I started collecting. I wanted an entire library of her books. It was just not to be with the sort of $ I had to spend. Then it sort of left my mind for several years when I wasn't collecting anything at all.

I know, It was really tempting to open those books and look at all the pages. I just didn't want them to turn into something that looked like a fan. Which is exactly what happens.

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About Me

Welcome to my blog!
I am artist and a metalsmith. I have always loved miniatures and dollhouses. My interest in making miniatures is not restricted to the metal work I do. This year I plan to design and build a dollhouse.
I do not sell the miniatures I am making right now while I am trying to build my own collection.
Who is Kilmouski? ... He's my cat. And he sits right next to me no matter how many hours I work.